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Local transport in Victoria

Local and community transport serves to bridge gaps and meet the needs of regional Victorians who don’t drive, have difficulty accessing public transport or live where there is limited public transport

New legislation also makes it easier for councils and community transport services to deliver commercial services for a fee.

Local transport forums

In 2016, the Victorian Government committed to establishing Local Transport Forums, giving regional communities, organisations and transport operators a stronger voice in how transport is planned and delivered in their community.

Local transport forums aim to foster and maintain genuine engagement with the community and support development of transport initiatives that improve connections in regional Victoria.

Facilitated by Transport for Victoria, with support from key stakeholders such as councils, regional partnerships, community groups and transport providers, the forums are an opportunity for the community to look at transport in their area and work towards tailored solutions.

Forums also help keep communities informed about the progress of other transport initiatives, including improvements to public transport and supporting infrastructure.

If you have a question about local transport forums or an idea for improving transport in your area, contact our regional transport planning team on [email protected]

Flexible Local Transport Solutions program

Some initiatives or ideas identified by local transport forums may be suitable for an application to the Victorian Government’s Flexible Local Transport Solutions program.

The program provides financial support to help seed small-scale initiatives across regional Victoria that address transport disadvantage, integrate with other local transport options and improve transport access.

It aims to support flexible, tailored transport services or trials in regional Victoria. Consistent with the purpose of the Regional Network Development Plan, funded initiatives must help deliver better connections to regional centres or make it easier for regional Victorians to travel using public transport.

Changes to the commercial passenger vehicle industry

In 2018, the Victorian Government made changes to the taxi and hire car industry (now known as the commercial passenger vehicle industry) to improve passenger choice and safety, and make it cheaper and easier for companies to provide these services.

The reforms provide new opportunities for community transport providers to deliver commercial passenger vehicle services in addition to charitable services.

Community and local transport providers may consider entering the commercial passenger vehicle industry to provide an income stream to support their charitable transport services. However, you will need to consider registration and accreditation requirements.

Community transport providers considering expanding their scope of services to include commercial services can contact Commercial Passenger Vehicles Victoria on 1800 638 802 or [email protected] to find out more.

Councils and community transport providers thinking about delivering commercial passenger vehicle services should also seek independent advice about the tax, legal and financial implications for their organisation.